The works of George Swinnock, M.A

I desire that I may be as bold to reprove as others are to commit sin; yet that I may be so prudent, as never to reproach the sinner when I reprove the sin, lest I break their heads instead of their hearts, and make them fly in my face, instead of falling down at Gods feet; Bone-setters must deal very warily, and Physic is given with great advice, and in dangerous diseases not without a consultation. I would distinguish between crimes, and not fall upon any (as the Syrians did on Gilead, Amos. 1. 3.) with a flail of Iron, when a small wand may do the work, nor (as Jeroboam threatened Israel) chastise ⟨p. 228⟩them with Scorpions, who may be reformed with Whips. It was not the heat, but the cool of the day, when my God came down to reprove Adam; The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God; Its in vain to undertake to cast out Satan with Satan, or sin with sin. I must turn anger out of my nature, but I must not turn my nature into anger. Yet, let me be serious, not light in all my admonitions; Its ill playing or jesting with one that is destroying and damning himself; Would it not stick close to me another day, should I laugh at them at this day, that are going into the place of weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth? My frothy carriage would as Hazaels cloth dipped in water, instead of recovering, stifle my brother to death. Physic works best when its warm; I must love my Neighbour as my self. True self-love will throw the first stone at its own sin. I may not suffer sin in my self, therefore not in my neighbour. Lord, thou hast commanded me in any wise to rebuke my neighbour, and not to suffer sin upon him. I confess, its an unpleasing work to rake into sores and ulcers; If I lance festered wounds, I make the Patients angry by putting them to pain; and O how averse is my wicked heart to such a task! I am prone to fear their ill-will more then thine, and rather to let them rot in the honey of flattery, then preserve and save them by faithful admonition. How backward is my cowardly spirit to undertake the work? how many excuses will it plead for its neglect? When through grace I have overcome those lets and hinderances, how flatteringly and unfaithfully do I go about it? rather stroking the sinner, then striking ⟨p. 229⟩the sin. O pardon my omissions of this duty, and all my falseness in the performance of it!